The Albanian government aims to include around 20% of the road network in electronic tolling schemes by 2030, as part of the measures in the sectoral transport strategy and action plan until 2030.
The document focuses, among other things, on the expansion of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) across the TEN-T network, including real-time traffic management, asset monitoring and passenger information. An important component of this is the development of digital ticketing in intercity transport and sustainable electronic tolling systems (e-tolling).
In this context, the strategy foresees the preparation of the legal and technical framework for digital road charging, in line with European standards such as the Eurovignette Directive and the European Electronic Toll Service (EETS). The piloting of e-tolling will start in the highest traffic segments of the TEN-T network, after the establishment of the relevant infrastructure.
The government plans to create a special fund coming from electric payments and charging that will go towards road maintenance.
"Creation of a dedicated fund for road maintenance, financed through user fees (road tolls, electric vehicle charging fees) in full compliance with the principles of the Eurovignette directive and Regulation (EU) 2023/1804 on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure," the strategy states.
Currently, several road segments are tolled, including the National Road, the Thumanë-Kashar axis, and the Llogara tunnel, for which the toll is expected to be applied within the summer season.
In addition to road pricing, the strategy also foresees the implementation of digital ticketing in intercity passenger transport, aiming for a more complete integration of services and increased transparency in collections.
PPP and concessions remain in focus
At the same time, the government seems set to remain loyal to its pro-public-private partnerships (PPP) and concessions approach in the infrastructure sector in the coming years.
The strategy considers these instruments as complementary tools for mobilizing private investment and accelerating project implementation, especially in road construction and key infrastructure development. According to the document, the model aims to improve fiscal sustainability and reduce delays, while ensuring more efficient use of public funds.
Special emphasis is also placed on intercity transport, where the promotion of PPPs for the operation, maintenance and modernization of terminals is envisaged.
The developments come at a time when new companies related to the sector have been "born". One of them is the National Road Operation Authority (EKORR) charged with managing toll roads, including the operation of automatic gates and the administration of electronic toll systems.
Meanwhile, the company "Mob AI" was later created, focusing on the operation of public road transport, including electronic ticketing, fleet management and the development of digital systems for monitoring services./ Monitor
